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DANTE  ..ALIGHIERI 
The  anfee-purgatorio  of  Dante 
Alighieri 


PQ 
4315.31 

3 


-i 


THE 


Ante-Purgatorio 


OF 


Dante  Alighieri 


TRANSLATED    BY 


T.     W.     PARSONS 


CAMBRIDGE 

PRESS   OF  JOHN    WILSON   AND   SON 

August,  1875 


I  THE 

Ante-Purgatorio 


Dante  Alighieri 


TRANSLATED     BY 


T.     W.     PARSONS 


CAMBRIDGE 
PRESS   OF  JOHN   WILSON   AND   SON 

August,  1S75 


LIBRARY 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 
SANTA  BARBARA 


The  first  nine  Cantos  of  the  Purgatorio  of  Dante  are  but 
preliminary  to  the  rest;  and  several  German  critics  have 
adopted  the  title  of  "  Ante-Purgatorio,"  by  which  Italians 
have  sometimes  distinguished  them.  It  is  not  until  the  open- 
ing of  Canto  X., 

"  La  dove  '1  Purgatorio  ha  dritto  inizio," 

that  we  pass   the  threshold  of  the   gate  which    leads  to  the 
several  rounds  of  penance. 

The  present  translator,  being  occupied  with  other  portions 
of  the  Divine  Comedy,  feels  free  to  postpone  for  a  time  the 
publication  of  his  complete  version  of  the  Purgatory,  together 
with  such  notes  as  may  have  approved  themselves  the  fruit  of 
a  long  study.  But  as  these  nine  Cantos  have  already  appeared 
in  the  "  Catholic  World,"  and  as  they  form  one  recognized 
division  of  the  poem,  they  are  now  reprinted  for  the  use  of 
those  who  have  desired  to  possess  them  in  one  collection. 


"  Every  branch  that  beareth  fruit 
He  purgeth  it, 

That  it  may  bring  forth  more  fruit.''' 

In  perusing  this  version  of  the  "  Purgatorio  "  of  Dante,  the  reader 
may  profitably  direct  his  attention  less  to  any  dogma  of  the  church  or 
any  formula  of  a  special  creed,  than  to  the  allegorical  sense  of  the  poet, 
founded,  as  it  must  be  acknowledged  by  all  Christian  believers,  upon 
the  facts  of  our  nature  and  the  history  of  the  human  heart.  "The 
Romish  doctrine  concerning  purgatory"  may  be  combated  as  an  article 
of  faith,  but  must  be  admitted  as  a  true  statement  of  the  condition  of 
mankind,  religiously  considered.  The  wretched  state  of  man  "  living 
without  God  in  the  world;  "  the  self-conviction  of  sin;  the  necessity 
of  a  Saviour;  and  the  possibility  of  attaining,  through  the  heavy 
passages  of  contrition  and  the  wearisome  stages  of  penance,  to  the 
"  peace  which  passeth  understanding,"  —  is  the  sum  of  the  doctrines 
embodied  in  the  "  Divina  Commedia." 

Dante,  having  partly  in  imagination,  and  partly  (as  we  may  justly 
suppose)  in  reality,  passed  through  the  torments  of  the  life  of  sin 
and  passion  and  unbelief  that  make  the  hell  of  this  world,  has  come  to 
the  antipodes  of  his  poetical  creation,  whose  way  is  up  the  toilsome  hill 
of  penance  to  the  terrestrial  paradise  of  pardon  and  peace.  Still,  as 
in  the  infernal  realm,  under  the  guidance  of  his  master  in  song,  Virgil, 
he  is  met  by  another  pagan  spirit,  Cato  the  Suicide,  of  Utica,  who 
teaches  him  the  first  lesson  to  be  learned  before  the  soul  of  man  can 
enter  into  the  penitential  state,  —  and  that  lesson  is  humility.  The 
"lowly  reed  "  wherewith  Dante  is  instructed  to  gird  himself  (v.  90)  is 
typical  of  that  which  He  bare  in  his  hand  who  wore  at  the  same  time 
the  crown  of  thorns,  and  who  said,  "  Learn  of  me,  for  I  am  meek  and 
lowly  of  heart." 


TRANSLATION 


OF    THE 


ANTE-PURGATORIO     OF     DANTE. 


PURGATORIO. 
CANTO   FIRST. 

The  little  vessel  of  my  genius  now 

Hoists  sail  o'er  better  waves  to  follow  helm, 
Turning  from  sea  so  terrible  its  prow  : 

And  I  will  sing  now  of  that  second  realm 
Wherein  are  purified  the  souls  of  men 

Until  of  heaven  they  worthy  shall  have  grown. 
But  here, dead  poesy  must  rise  again  : 

O  sacred  Muses  !  I  am  now  your  own  ; 
Nor  let  Calliope  here  fall  below 

But  soar  to  my  *  song  !  with  that  epic  strain 
Whereof  those  wretched  magpies*  felt  the  blow 

So  that  their  hope  of  pardon  was  but  vain. 

*  Verses  10  and  n  : 

"  Soar  to  my  song,"  &c. 
"...   magpies"  <.Y.c. 

Ovid  tells  the  story  of  the  nine  daughters  of-Pierus  —  Pierides —  who 
challenged  the  Muses  to  sing,  and  being  defeated  were  changed  into 
magpies.     As  the  Mu-es  were  also  called  Pierides,  — 

"  Dulcem  quse  strepitum,  Pieri !  temperas," 

a  familiar  verse  of  Horace,  —  it  has  been  supposed  that  the  victorious 
Muses  took  the  name  of  the  vanquished  maids. 

In  this  lofty  invocation  Dante,  many  times  before  depressed  and 
faltering,  becomes  fully  conscious  of  his  powers,  and,  by  this  allusion 


6  dante's  purgatorio. 

Of  oriental  sapphire  that  sweet  blue 
Which  overspread  the  beautiful  serene 

Of  the  pure  ether,  far  as  eye  could  view- 
To  heaven's  first  circle,  brightened  up  my  mien, 

Soon  as  I  left  that  atmosphere  of  death 

Which  had  my  heart  so  saddened  with  mine  eyes: 

The  beauteous  planet*  which  gives  love  new  breath 
With  laughing  light  cheered  all  the  orient  skies, 

Dimming  the  Fishes  that  her  escort  made  : 
Then,  turning  to  my  right,  I  stood  to  scan 

The  southern  pole,  and  four  stars  there  surveyed  — 
Save  the  first  people,  never  seen  by  man. 

Heaven  seemed  rejoicing  in  their  blazing  rays. 

0  widowed  North,  how  much  art  thou  bereft 
That  constellation  hidden  from  thy  gaze  ! 

Ceasing  my  look,  a  little  towards  the  left 
(The  pole  whence  now  the  Wain  had  disappeared) 

1  turned,  and  saw  an  old  f  man  all  alone 
Near  me,  whose  aspect  claimed  to  be  revered  ; 

More  might  no  father  claim  it  of  a  son. 
His  heard  was  long,  and  streaked,  as  was  his  hair 

Which  fell  in  two  lengths  down  his  breast,  with  white. 
The  rays  of  those  four  sacred  splendors  there 

So  sprinkled  o'er  his  countenance  with  light 
It  seemed  to  me  the  Sun  before  me  stood  ! 

And  thus  he  spake,  shaking  those  reverend  plumes: 

to  the  chattering  fowl  of  antiquity,  whose  successors  in  every  age  fret 
the  genuine  poet,  gives  vent  to  his  native  scorn  for  all  the  pretenders 
of  his  art.     Horace,  in  his  Ode  to  Calliope, 

"  Descende  coelo,  et  die  age  tibia 
Regina  longum,  Calliope!  melos," 

uses  the  ordinary  style  'of  poetry:  "  Mtjj/iv  &uSe,  6ea" — "Musa,  mihi 
causas  memora,"  —  "Sing,  heavenly  Muse!"&c.  Dante  is  the  first 
who  boldlj  «  raves  the  goddess  of  epic  song  to  be  his  follower,  —  "  segui- 
tando  V  into  canto." 

A    curious  commentator  might  infer  from   this   how  hard  a  step  to 
tory  a  nature  like  Dante's  found  it  to  gird  his  spirit  with  that 
"  reed  of  humility." 

*  Venus. 

t   Cato  of  L'tiea. 


CANTO    FIRST. 


Cato. 


"  Say,  who  arc  ye  'gainst  the  dark  stream  who  could 

Fly,  as  ye  have,  the  eternal  dungeon's  glooms? 
Who  was  your  guide?     Who  lighted  you  the  way 

Escaping  forth  from  that  profoundest  night 
Which  makes  the  infernal  valley  black  for  aye? 

The  laws  of  that  abyss,  are  they  so  slight? 
Or  is  the  purpose  changed  which  heaven  did  please, 

That  ye  condemned  approach  these  crags  of  nunc?" 
Here  my  lord  beckoned  me  to  bend  my  knees 

And  brows  (words  adding  to  his  touch  and  sign), 
Then  answered  thus  :  — 


Virgil. 

"My  will  was  not  my  guide 
A  maid  from  heaven  besought  me  so  to  bear 

This  being  company  that  I  complied. 
More  of  our  state  wouldst  have  me  to  declare, 

Thy  will  to  gainsay,  my  will  cannot  be. 
This  man  hath  never  seen  life's  closing  even, 

But  through  his  folly  came  so  nigh  to  see 
That  for  escape  but  little  space  was  given. 

Therefore  was  I,  as  I  have  told  thee,  sent 
To  turn  him  back,  and  other  way  was  none 

Save  this  to  which  my  guidance  I  have  lent. 
All  the  bad  spirits  I  to  him  have  shown, 

And  purpose  now  revealing  to  him  those 
Who  under  thee  their  natures  purify. 

'Twere  long  how  I  have  led  him  to  disclose, 
But  a  grace  aids  me,  granted  from  on  high, 

To  bring  him  thus  to  see  thee  and  to  hear: 
Now  may  it  please  thee,  greet  him  fair !   he  goes 

In  quest  of  Liberty,  that  is  so  dear  ; 
How  dear,  who  spurneth  life  for  freedom  knows. 

Thou  know'st !   who  didst  in  Utica  delight 


D  VNTE  S    PURGATORIO. 

To  die  for  her,  doffing  that  vestment  there 

Which  at  the  last  great  day  shall  show  so  white. 
Unchanged  for  us  th'  eternal  edicts  are  ; 

This  man  yet  lives,  and  Minos  hinds  not  me; 
I  come  from  where  thy  Marcia's  chaste  eyes  shine, 

Who  seems  in  aspect  still  imploring  thee, 
O  sacred  breast !   that  thou  wilt  keep  her  thine. 

Then  for  her  love  incline  thee  to  our  prayer; 
Through  thy  seven  kingdoms  grant  us  leave  to  go  : 

Thy  grace  I  gratefully  will  tell  her  where 
She  dwells,  if  thou  deign  mentioning  below." 


Cato. 

"  Marcia  delighted  so  mine  eyes  above, 
When  I  was  there,"  he  answered,  "  that  I  gave 

Whate'er  she  asked  me  freely  to  her  love. 
But  now  she  dwells  that  side  the  wicked  wave 

She  cannot  move  me  longer :  I  am  stayed 
By  laws  which  when  I  came  thence  were  decreed. 

But  since  thou  tell'st  me  a  celestial  maid 
Urges  and  guides  thee  —  of  fair  words  what  need? 

Enough  her  name  to  sanction  thy  demand. 
Go  then  !   and  let  this  being  with  a  plain 

Smooth  reed  be  girt,  and  wash  with  thine  own  hand 
His  visage  pure  from  every  soil  and  stain  : 

For,  until  every  dimness  be  dispersed, 
It  were  not  fitting  to  beclouded  eyes 

To  come  before  the  One  who  sits  the  First 
Angel,  ■ —  a  ministrant  of  Paradise. 

Round  its  low  margent,  on  the  yielding  ooze, 
Down  by  the  low  strand  where  the  waves  have  strife, 

This  isle  bears  reeds  :   not  any  plant  which  grows 
Hard,  or  that  puts  forth  leaf,  may  there  have  life, 

For  no  such  stem  to  every  stroke  would  bow. 
In  line,  not  this  way  look  to  journey  back  : 

The  sun  will  show  you,  which  is  rising  now, 
To  take  this  mountain  at  some  easier  track." 


CANTO    FIRST. 

Herewith  ho  vanished  :  I  straightway  did  rise 
Without  a  word,  and  toward  my  guiding  One 

All  closely  drew,  fastening  on  him  mine  eyes, 
Who  thus  began  :   "  Follow  my  steps,  my  son. 

Turn  we  hack  this  way  ;   lor  this  way,"  he  said, 
"The  shore  sinks  low  to  where  its  limits  are." 

Now  day's  white  light  had  quelled  the  morning's  red 
Which  fled  before  it,  so  that  from  afar 

I  recognized  the  trembling  of  the  main. 
Like  one  who  turns  to  find  a  pathway  lost, 

And  till  he  find  it  seems  to  walk  in  vain, 
Silent  that  solitary  plain  we  crossed. 

When  we  had  come  to  where  the  dewdrops  pass 
But  slowly  off  (by  reason  of  the  shade 

The  sun  resisting),  on  the  soft  small  grass 
His  outstretched  palms  my  Master  gently  laid  : 

Whence  I,  acquainted  with  his  act's  intent, 
Held  up  my  cheeks  all  wet  with  tears  to  him, 

While  he  restored  unto  my  face  besprent 
My  natural  hue,  which  Hell  had  made  so  grim. 

We  came  soon  after  to  the  desert  shore 
Which  never  yet  beheld  a  man  who  had 

Come  back,  once  having  crossed  those  waters  o'er. 
Here  then  he  girded  me  as  Cato  bade : 

O  how  miraculous  !   with  instant  growth 
Sprang  up  immediately  another  spray 

In  the  same  spot,  —  and  of  the  same  kind  both,  — 
Whence  he  had  plucked  the  lowly  reed  away. 


IO  DANTE  S    PURGATORIO. 


CANTO    SECOND. 

Now  that  horizon  whose  meridian  arch 

Hangs  o'er  Jerusalem  its  topmost  height 
The  sun  had  reached  :  while  opposite,  her  march 

Holding  in  countercourse,  the  circling  Night 
Walked  forth  from  Ganges,  bearing  in  her  hand 

The  Scales  that  she  lets  fall  with  her  advance, 
So  fair  Aurora's  cheeks  by  ripe  age  tanned 

From  white  and  red  grew  orange  to  my  glance. 

Still  by  the  sea  we  made  some  brief  delay, 

Like  lingering  men,  that  on  their  journey  dream, 
Who  go  in  spirit,  but  in  body  stay  : 

And  lo  !   as  when,  surprised  by  morning's  beam, 
Through  the  gross  vapors  Mars  doth  redly  burn 

Down  in  the  west  upon  the  ocean  floor  ; 
A  light  appeared  —  oh  !  may  that  light  return  — 

So  rapidly  those  waters  travelling  o'er, 
That  to  its  motion  flying  were  but  slow  : 

Then,  having  momently  withdrawn  my  gaze 
To  question  of  my  Guide,  I  looked,  and  lo  ! 

Larger  it  burned,  and  seemed  almost  ablaze 
Soon  from  each  side  thereof,  although  I  knew 

Naught  what  they  were,  something  appeared  of  white, 
And  underneath  another  of  like  hue 

Little  by  little  grew  forth  into  sight. 

My  Master  spake  not:  I  meantime  could  spell 
Wings  in  those  first  white  objects  at  the  side  : 

Soon  as  he  recognized  the  pilot  well, 

"  Behold  God's  Angel !  bend  thy  knees  !  "  he  cried, 

"  Lift  up  thy  palms  to  him  ;   henceforward  more 
Such  heavenly  delegates  thou  shalt  behold  ! 


CANTO   SECOND.  II 

Look  how  he  scorns  man's  arguments  of  oar 

And  sail,  but  simply  doth  unfold 
His  own  pure  pinions  (winnowing  the  air 

And  heavenward  stretching  those  eternal  pens), 
From  shore  to  shore  so  distant,  —  plumes  that  ne'er 

Moult  like  the  changing  tresses  that  are  men's." 

Then  as  more  near  and  nearer  to  us  drew 

That  divine  bird,  so  grew  the  splendor  more 
Till  scarce  the  eye  could  bear  a  closer  view : 

I  bent  mine  down,  and  he  arrived  ashore 
With  a  fleet  skill",  so  light  upon  the  flood 

That  without  wake  it  skimmed  the  water's  breast: 
High  on  the  stern  the  heavenly  helmsman  stood, 

In  aspect  such  as  Holy  Writ  calls  Blest.* 
More  than  an  hundred  spirits  in  one  band 

Within  sat  blending  in  one  voice  their  strains, 
"  ///  exitu  Israel,  —  From  the  land 

Of  Egypt,"  —  and  what  else  that  psalm  contains.  | 

The  sign  of  holy  cross  he  made  them  then, 

Whereat  they  bounded  all  upon  the  strand, 
And  he,  swift  as  he  came,  sped  back  again. 

The  croud  that  stayed  looked  wildly  round,  and  scanned 
The  place  like  strangers  coming  to  things  new. 

Now  on  all  sides  had  Phoebus  pierced  the  day 
With  his  keen  arrows,  which  so  fiercely  flew 

That  Capricorn  was  chased  from  heaven's  midway, 
When  the  new-comers  raised  their  brows  to  us, 

Saying:   "  Show  us  the  pathway,  if  ye  know, 
Up  to  the  mountain."     Virgil  answered  thus: 

t.  Perchance  you  think  we  know  this  place  ;   not  so. 
We.  like  yourselves,  are  only  pilgrims  here  : 

Just  before  you,  and  by  another  way, 
We  came,  a  road  so  rugged,  so  severe, 

That  climbing  this  will  seem  thereto  as  play. 


*  "  Blessed  are  the  pun-  in  heart :  for  they  shall  see  God." 
t   I's-al m  cxiv. 


I  2  DANTE  S    PURGATORIO. 

The  spirits,  by  my  breathing  who  could  guess 

That  I  was  living,  wan  with  wonder  grew; 
And  just  as  people  round  a  herald  press 

Who  comes  with  olive  wreaths,  to  hear  what  new 
Tidings  he  bears,  regardless  how  they  tread, 

Thus  gathering  round,  those  favored  souls  eyed  me  ; 
h  one.  as  'twere,  forgetful  how  he  sped 

Towards  where  they  go,  more  beautiful  to  be. 

One  I  beheld  before  the  rest,  who  came 

As  to  embrace  me,  with  such  look  intense 
Of  love,  it  moved  me  to  return  the  same. 

Oh  !   save  in  aspect,  shadows  void  of  sense! 
Three  times  mv  hands  around  his  form  I  threw. 

And  thrice  received  them  back  upon  my  breast. 
I  think  my  face  was  tinged  with  wonder's  hue  ; 

For  the  shade  smiled  as  after  him  I  pressed, 
And.  I  still  following,  he  so  sweetly  said  : 

•'  Follow  no  longer;"  whose  that  voice  must  be 
I  knew  full  well,  and  begged  him,  ere  he  fled, 

To  stay  a  little  while  to  speak  with  me. 

lie  answered  me  :  "  As  in  my  mortal  part 

I  loved  thee  once,  I  love  thee  loose  from  clay, 
And  therefore  stop;   but  thou,  —  why  wandering  art?  " 

•'  My  dear  Casella,  I  come  not  to  stay, 
And  must  return  where  I  am  dwelling  still. 

I  tut  till  me  what  has  so  delayed  thy  bliss?" 
u  If  he  who  taketh  whom  and  when  he  will 

Refused  my  passage'  oft.  no  wrong  was  this," 
The  shade  replied  :   '"  To  Heaven's  his  choice  conforms 

These'  three'  months  freely  he  hath  carried  o'er, 
At  their  own  pleasure',  the  peace-parted  swarms: 

Whence  I.  too,  coasting  by  the  sacred  shore'. 
Where  Tiber's  waves  grow  salt,  with  gracious  hand 

Was  gathered.     Thitherward  he  now  has  gone, 
Bending  his  pinions  towards  that  opening  strand, 

Since  all  meet  there  who  sevk  not  Acheron." 


CWTo    51  <  OND.  13 

Then  I  :   "  Unless  the  new  laws  here  forbid 

Memory  or  use  of  that  love-laden  style 
Which  all  my  longings  once  full  gently  chitl, 

Soothe  with  one  song,  beseech  thee,  for  a  while 
This  soul  of  mine,  which,  dragging  here  its  clay, 

Is  so  worn  out."     Directly  he  began, 
"  Love  reasons  ivitJi  me"  in  so  sweet  a  way 

That  the  same  sweetness  I  could  hear,  —  I  can. 
We  stood,  my  Master  and  myself,  as  though 

Naught  else  possessed  us,  and  that  shadowy  swarm, 
Rapt,  listening  round  him  to  his  notes  :  and  lo  ! 

That  noble  old  man's  venerable  form  * 
Came  crying:   "  How  now,  tardy  spirits,  —  why 

This  negligence?  why  lingering  do  ye  plod? 
Run  to  the  mountain,  that  from  every  eye 

The  scales  may  fall  that  seal  your  sight  from  God." 

As  doves,  when  busy  gathering  grain  or  tares, 

Clustered  at  pasture  in  a  single  flock, 
Quiet,  nor  showing  their  accustomed  airs, 

If  aught  approach  the  timid  tribe  to  shock, 
Fly  from  their  food,  assailed  by  greater  care, 

So  quit  the  song  this  new-come  troop,  and  started 
Hillward,  like  one  who  goes  unknowing  where  : 

And  with  no  less  a  pace  we,  too,  departed. 

*  The  spirit  of  Cato  of  Utica,  introduced  in  the  First  Canto. 


M 


DAN  fE  S    PURGATORIO. 


CANTO    THIRD. 

THOUGH  round  the  plain  their  quick  flight  scattered  them, 

Dent  for  that  Hill  where  reason  turns  our  tread,* 
My  faithful  guide  close  at  my  garment's  hem 

I  kept:   how  could  I  without  him  have  sped?     . 
Who  else  had  o'er  that  mountain  marshalled  me? 

He  seemed,  methought,  as  inly  touched  with  shame  : 
O  nohle  conscience,  void  of  stain,  to  thee 

I  low  sharp  the  bite  is  of  the  smallest  blame  ! 
Soon  as  his  feet  the  hurried  movement  cheeked 

Which  every  action's  dignity  destroys, 
My  mind,  till  now  restrained  and  circumspect, 

Expanded  with  new  strength,  as  'twere  of  joy's. 
My  face  I  fixed  upon  that  Hill  to  gaze 

Towards  highest  heaven  which  springeth  from  the  wave. 
The  sun  behind  me  redly  flamed  ;  its  rays 

Broke  by  the  shadow  which  my  figure  gave. 
When  I  perceived  before  me  that  the  ground 

Was  darkened  only  by  myself,  in  dread 
Of  being  there  deserted,  I  looked  round 

And  fronting  me  in  full,  my  Comfort  said  : 
"  Why  this  distrust?  believ'st  thou  not  that  I 

Am  with  thee  still,  thy  leader  to  the  last? 
'Tis  evening  now  already  where  on  high 

My  body  lies,  which  once  a  shadow  cast, 
Buried  at  Naples,  from  Brundusium  brought. 

Now,  if  no  shade  before  me  meet  thy  sight 
It  need  wake  no  more  wonder  in  thy  thought 

Than  why  one  ray  checks  not  another's  light. 


te  means  the  Hill  of  Purgatory,  to  the  ascent  of  which  we  ;we 
turned  no  less  by  the  righl  reason  that  is  in  us  than  by  our  contrition 
for  an  erroneous  course,  from  which  we  are  happily  passing. 


CANTO    riilKD.  15 

Omnipotence  to  such  forms  hath  assigned 

The  power  of  suffering  torments  —  cold  and  heat  — 
But  how,  reveals  not  to  created  kind. 

He  is  but  mad  who  hopes  this  incomplete 
Reason  of  ours  may  track  the  Infinite  way 

Which  of  three  persons  holds  the  substance  one. 
Rest,  human  race  !   contented  when  you  say 

Simply  because  :   could  ye  the  whole  have  known 
No  need  had  been  for  Mary  to  have  borne  ; 

And  ye  have  seen  in  hopeless  longing  those 
Who  now  to  all  eternity  must  mourn 

Desire  for  which  they  vainly  sought  repose. 
Of  Aristotle  and  of  Plato  now 

I  speak,  and  many  others  :  "  he  remained 
Silent  at  this,  and  stood  with  bended  brow 

And  troubled  look  :   meantime  the  Hill  we  gained. 

We  found  the  cliff  here  sloping  so  steep  down 

That  nimblest  legs  had  there  been  useless  quite. 
The  wildest  way  betwixt  Turbia's  town 

And  Lerici,  the  roughest,  were  a  flight 
Compared  with  this,  of  open,  easy  stairs. 

"  Who  knows,"  my  Master  said  —  and  stayed  his  pace  — 
"Where  this  Hill  slopeth,  so  that  one  who  wears 

No  wings  may  climb  it?"  then  his  earnest  face 
Directed  closely  to  the  ground  as  if 

Making  in  mind  a  study  of  the  way. 
Meantime  I  gazed  up  round  about  the  cliff, 

And  on  the  left  hand  came  to  my  survey 
A  band  of  spirits.,  moving  on  towards  us, 

That  seemed  not  moving,  for  they  came  so  slow. 
"  Lift  up  thine  eyes,"  I  to  the  Master  thus, 

"  If  of  thyself  thou  art  not  certain,  lo  ! 
Yon  souls  our  footsteps  may  direct  perchance." 

Thereat  he  looked,  then  frankly  made  reply  : 
"Go  we  tow'rds  them —  so  gently  they  advance  — 

And  thou,  my  sweet  son  !   keep  thy  hope  up  high." 

That  people  seemed  as  far,  when  we  had  gone 
A  thousand  steps,  I  say,  or  thereabout, 


1 6  DANTE* S   PURGATOR10. 

id  flinger  might  have  cast  a  stone  ; 

When  ;ill  at  once,  like  one  who  goes  in  doubt 
And  stops  to  look,  their  moderate  march  they  checked 

And  close  to  that  high  hank's  hard  masses  drew. 
"  O  ve  peace-parted  !      O  ye  spirits  elect ! 

Ev'n  by  that  peace  which  waits  for  each  of  you 
As  I  believe,"  thus  Virgil  them  bespake,  • 

"  Inform  us  where  this  mountain  slopeth  so 
That  its  ascent  we  may  essay  to  make  ; 

For  they  mount  77mes  loss  most,  the  most  who  know" 

Like  lambs  that  issue  from  their  fold  —  one  —  two  — 

Then  three  at  once  (the  rest  all  standing  shy, 
With  eye  and  nostril  to  the  ground),  then  do 

just  what  the  foremost  doth,  unknowing  why, 
And  crowd  upon  her  back  if  she  but  stand, 

Quiet  and  simple  creatures,  thus  the  head 
I  saw  move  towards  us  of  that  happy  band, 

.Modest  in  lace,  and  of  a  comely  tread. 

Soon  as  their  leaders  noticed  that  the  light 

On  my  right  side  lay  broken  at  my  feet, 
So  that  my  shadow  reached  the  rocky  height, 

They  stopped  and  drew  a  little  in  retreat. 
And  all  the  others  following,  though  they  knew 

Naught  why  they  drew  back,  did  the  very  same. 
"  Without  your  question  1  confess  to  vou 

That  here  vou  see  a  living  human  frame  : 
Hence  on  the  ground  the  sunlight  thus  is  riven  : 

Marvel  not  at  it,  but  believe  ye  all 
Not  without  virtue  by  the  Most  High  given 

This  man  hath  come  to  scale  your  Mountain's  wall." 
M\   Master  thus,  and  thus  that  gracious  band  : 

"  Turn  then  and  join  us,  and  before  us  go  ;  " 

And  while  some  beckoned  us  with  bended  hand, 

(  me  called  :    k-  Whoe'er  thou  art  there  journeying  so, 
Turn  !     Think,  —  hast  ever  looked  on  me  before?  " 

I   turned  \\\^\  gazed  upon  the  one  who  spoke. 
Handsome  and  blond,  he  looked  high-born,  but  o'er 

( )ne  I  mow  appeared  the  severance  of  a  stroke. 


CANTO    THIRD. 


17 


When  I  had  humbly  answered  him  that  ne'er 

Had  I  beheld  him,  —  "  Look  !  "   he  said,  and  high 

Up  on  his  breast  showed  me  a  wound  he  bare  ; 
Then  added  smilingly; 

"  Manfred  am  I, 
The  Empress  Constance'  grandson  :   in  such  name 

Do  I  entreat,  when  back  thou  shalt  have  gone, 
To  my  fair  daughter  hie,  of  whose  womb  came 

Sicily's  boast  and  Aragon's  renown, 
And  tell  her  this,  if  aught  but  truth  be  said, 

That  after  two  stabs  —  each  of  power  to  kill  — 
I  gave  my  soul  back  weeping  ere  it  fled 

To  Him  who  pardoneth  of  His  own  free  will  ; 
My  sins  were  horrible  ;  but  large  embrace 

Infinite  Goodness  hath,  whose  arms  will  ope 
For  every  child  who  turneth  back  to  Grace  ; 

And  if  Cosenza's  bishop,  by  the  Pope 
Clement  set  on  to  hound  me  to  the  last, 

That  page  of  Holy  Writ  had  better  read, 
Mv  bones  had  still  been  sheltered  from  the  blast 

Near  Benevento,  by  the  bridge's  head, 
Under  their  load  of  stones ;  but  now  without 

The  realm  they  lie,  by  Verde's  river — bare  — 
For  winds  and  rains  to  beat  and  blow  about, 

Dragged  with  quench'd  candles  and  with  curses  there. 
Yet  not  by  their  poor  malediction  can 

Souls  be  so  lost  but  that  Eternal  Love 
May  be  brought  back  while  hope  hath  life  in  man. 

'Tis  true  that  one  who  sets  himself  above 
The  Holy  Church,  and  dies  beneath  its  ban 

(Even  though  he  had  repented  at  the  last), 
Outside  this  Mount  must  unadmitted  rove 

Thirty  times  longer  than  the  term  had  been 
Of  his  presumptuous  contumacy  past, 

Unless  good  prayers  a  shorter  penance  win. 
See  now  what  power  thou  hast  to  make  me  glad  ; 

Report  of  me  to  my  good  Constance  bear, 
How  thou  saw'st  me,  and  what  I've  told  thee  add  ; 

For  much  it  profits  us  what  they  do  there. 
3 


1 8  dante's  purgatorio. 


CANTO   FOURTH. 

Whene'er  the  mind,  from  any  joy  or  pain 
In  any  faculty,  to  that  alone 

Bends  its  whole  strength,  its  other  powers  remain 
Unexercised,  it  seems  (whereby  is  shown 

Plain  contradiction  of  th'  erroneous  view 
Which  holds  within  us  kindled  several  souls). 

Hence,  when  we  hear  or  see  a  thing  whereto 
The  mind  is  strongly  drawn,  unheeded  rolls 

The  passing  hour;   the  man  observes  it  not: 
That  power  is  one  whereby  we  hear  or  see, 

And  that  another  which  absorbs  our  thought ; 
This  bein<>-  chained,  as  'twere  —  the  former  free. 

A  real  experience  of  this  truth  had  I, 
Listening  that  soul,  and  wondering  at  such  force, 

For  now  the  sun  full  fifty  degrees  high 
Had  risen  without  mv  noticing  his  course, 

When  came  we  where  the  spirits,  with  one  voice  all, 
Cried  out  to  us,  "  Behold  the  place  ye  seek  !  " 

A  wider  opening  oft,  in  hedge  or  wall, 
Some  farmer,  when  the  grape  first  browns  its  cheek, 

■Stops  with  one  forkful  of  his  brambles  thrown, 
Than  was  the  narrow  pass  whereby  my  Guide 

Began  to  climb,  I  following  on  alone, 
While  from  our  way  I  saw  those  wanderers  glide. 

A  man  may  climb  St.  Leo,  or  descend 
The  steeps  of  Noli,  or  Bismantua's  height 

Scale  to  the  top,  and  on  his  feet  depend  ; 
Here  one  should  lly  !     1  mean  he  needs  the  light 

Pinions  and  plumage  of  a  strong  desire, 


CANTO    FOURTH. 

Under  such  leadership  as  gave  me  hope 

And  lighted  me  my  way.     Advancing  higher 
In  through  the  broken  rock,  it  left  no  scope 

On  either  side,  but  cramped  us  close  ;  the  1< 
O'er  which  we  crept  required  both  feet  and  hands. 

When  we  had  toiled  up  to  the  utmost  ed^e 
Of  the  high  hank,  where  the  clear  coast  expands, 

"Which  way,"  said  I,  "  my  Master,  shall  we  take?" 
And  he  to  me,  "  Let  not  thy  foot  fall  back  : 

Still  follow  me,  and  for  the  mountain  make, 
Until  some  guide  appear  who  knows  the  track." 

Its  top  sight  reached  not,  and  the  hillside  rose 
With  far  more  salient  angle  than  the  line 

That  from  half-quadrant  to  the  centre  goes. 
Most  weary  was  I :   "  Gentle  Father  mine," 

I  thus  broke  silence,  "  turn  and  see  that  if 
Thou  stay  not  for  me,  I  remain  alone." 

"  Struggle,  my  son,  as  far  as  yonder  cliff," 
He  said,  and  pointed  upwards  to  a  zone 

Terracing  all  the  mountain  on  that  side. 
His  word  so  spurred  me  that  I  forced  myself 

And  clambered  on  still  close  behind  my  Guide 
Until  my  feet  were  on  that  girdling  shelf. 

Here  we  sat  down  and  turned  our  faces  towards 
The  East,  from  which  point  we  had  made  ascent 

(For  looking  back  on  toil  some  rest  affords)  ; 
And  on  the  low  shore  first  mine  eyes  I  bent, 

Then  raised  them  sunward,  wondering  as  I  gazed 
How  his  light  smote  us  from  the  left.     While  thus 

I  stared,  he  marked  how  I  beheld  amazed 
Day's  chariot  entering  'twixt  the  North  and  us. 

"  Were  yonder  mirror  now,"  the  Poet  said, 
"  That  with  his  light  leads  up  and  down  the  spheres, 

In  Castor  and  Pollux,  thou  wouldst  see  the  red 
Zodiac  revolving  closer  to  the  Bears, 

If  it  swerved  nothing  from  its  ancient  course  ; 
Which  fact  to  fathom  wouldst  thou  power  command, 

Imagine,  with  thy  mind's  collected  force, 


'9 


20  DANTE  S    PURGATORIO. 

This  mount  and  Zion  so  on  earth  to  stand 

That  though  in  adverse  hemispheres,  the  twain 
One  sole  horizon  have:   thence  'tis  not  hard 

To  see  (if  clear  thine  intellect  remain) 
How  the  Sun's  road  —  which  Phaeton,  ill-starred. 

Knew  not  to  keep  —  must  pass  that  mountain  o'er 
On  one,  and  this  hill  on  the  other  side." 

••  Certes,  my  Master,  —  ne'er  saw  I  before 
So  clear  as  at  this  moment,"  I  replied, 

"  (Where  seemed  but  now  my  understanding  maimed), 
How  the  mid-circle  of  the  heavenly  spheres 

And  of  their  movements  —  the  Equator  named 
In  special  term  of  art  —  which  never  veers 

From  its  old  course,  'twixt  winter  and  the  Sun, 
Yet  for  the  reason  thou  dost  now  assign, 

Towards  the  Septentrion  from  this  point  dotli  run, 
While  to  the  Jews  it  bore  a  South  decline. 

But  if  it  please  thee,  gladly  would  I  learn 
How  far  we  have  to  journey  ;  for  so  high 

This  hill  soars  that  mine  eyes  cannot  discern 
The  top  thereof."     He  made  me  this  reply  : 

"  Such  is  this  mountain  that  for  one  below 
The  first  ascent  is  evermore  severe, 

It  grows  less  painful  higher  as  we  go. 
So  when  to  thee  it  pleasant  shall  appear 

That  no  more  toil  thy  climbing  shall  attend 
Than  sailing  down  the  way  the  current  flows, 

Then  art  thou  near  unto  thy  pathway's  end  ; 
There  from  thy  labor  look  to  find  repose. 

I  know  that  this  is  true,  but  say  no  more." 
And  this  word  uttered,  not  far  oft' addressed 

Me  thus  a  voice  :   "  It  may  be  that  before 
That  pass,  thou  wilt  have  need  to  sit  and  rest." 

At  sound  thereof  we  both  looked  round,  and  there 
Beheld  a  huge  rock,  close  to  our  left  hand, 

Whereof  till  now  we  had  not  been  aware. 
Thither  we  toiled,  and  in  its  shade  a  band 

Behind  it  stood  with  a  neglectful  air, 
As  men  in  idleness  are  wont  to  stand. 


CANTO    FOURTH.  21 


Belacqua  the   Sluggard. 

And  one  was  seated,  hanging  down  his  face 
Between  his  knees,  which  he  with  languid  limb, 

Looking  exhausted,  held  in  his  embrace. 
"  O  my  sweet  Seignior  !  "  I  exclaimed,  "  note  him  ! 

Lazier-looking  than  had  laziness  been 
His  sister-born."     Turning  towards  us,  at  length 

He  gazed,  slow  lifting  o'er  his  thigh  his  chin, 
And  drawled,  "Go  up,  then,  thou  who  hast  such  strength." 

I  knew  who  that  was  then  ;  and  though  the  ascent 
Had  made  me  pant  somewhat,  I  kept  my  pace, 

Spite  of  short  breath  ;  close  up  to  him  I  went, 
And  he  droned  forth,  scarce  lifting  up  his  face, 

"  Hast  thou  found  out  yet  how  the  Sun  this  way 
O'er  thy  left  shoulder  doth  his  chariot  guide?" 

His  sloth,  and  what  few  words  he  had  to  say, 
Made  me  smile  slightly,  and  I  thus  replied  : 

"  No  more,  Belacqua,  do  I  mourn  thy  fate  ; 
But  tell  me  wherefore  in  this  place  I  see 

Thee  sitting  thus?     Dost  thou  for  escort  wait, 
Or  has  thy  old  slow  habit  seized  on  thee?  " 

And  he  —  "  O  brother  !   what  boots  it  to  climb? 
God's  Angel  sitting  at  the  gate  denies 

Me  way  to  penance  until  so  much  time 
Be  past  as  living  I  beheld  the  skies. 

Outside  I  must  remain  here  for  the  crime 
Of  dallying  to  the  last  my  contrite  sighs, 

Unless  I  happily  some  help  derive 
From  the  pure  prayer  ascending  from  a  heart 

That  lives  in  grace  :    a  prayer  not  thus  alive 
Heaven  doth  not  hear:   what  aid  can  such  impart?" 

Now  before  me  the  Poet  up  the  height 
Began  to  climb,  saving,  "Come  on,  for  o'er 

This  hill's  meridian  hangs  the  Sun,  and  Night 
Sets  foot  already  on  Morocco's  shore." 


DANTE  S    PURGATORIO. 


CANTO   FIFTH. 

Already  parted  from  those  shades,  I  went 

Following  the  footsteps  of  my  Guide,  when  one 
Behind  me  towards  my  form  his  finger  bent, 

Exclaiming,  "  See  !   no  ray  falls  from  the  sun 
To  the  left  hand  of  him  that  walks  below  ! 

And  sure!   he  moveth  like  a  living  man." 
Mine  eyes  I  turned,  at  hearing  him  say  so, 

And  saw  them  with  a  gaze  all  wonder  scan 
Now  me,  still  me,  and  now  the  broken  light 

My  body  caused.     The  Master  then  to  me  : 
"  Why  let  thy  wonder  keep  thee  from  the  height 

To  drag  so  slowly?  what  concerns  it  thee 
What  here  is  whispered?  only  follow  thou 

After  my  steps,  and  let  the  crowd  talk  on  : 
Stand  like  a  tower,  firm-based,  that  will  not  bow 

Its  head  to  breath  of  winds  that  soon  are  gone. 
The  man  o'er  whose  thought  second  thought  hath  sway, 

Wide  of  his  mark  is  ever  sure  to  miss, 
Because  one  force  the  other  wears  away." 

What  could  I  answer  but — "  I  come"  —  to  this? 
I  said  it  something  sprinkled  with  the  hue 

Which,  in  less  faults,  excuseth  one  from  blame. 
Meanwhile  across  the  mountain-side  there  drew, 

Just  in  our  front,  a  train  that  as  they  came 
Sang  Jf/screre,  verse  by  verse.      When  they 

Observed  my  form,  and  noticed  that  I  gave 
No  passage  through  me  to  the  solar  ray, 

Into  a  long  hoarse  "  O  !  "  they  changed  their  stave  ; 
And  two,  as  envoys,  ran  up  with  demand, 

"  In  what  condition  is  it  that  ye  go?  " 
And  my  Lord  said,  "  Return  ye  to  the  band 

Who  sent  you  towards  us,  and  give  them  to  know 


CANTO    FIFTH.  2^ 

This  body  is  true  flesh.     If  they  delayed 
At  sight,  —  I  deem  so,  of  the  shadow  here 

Thereby  sufficient  answer  shall  be  made: 

Him  let  them  reverence,  —  it  may  prove  dear." 

I  never  saw  a  meteor  dart  so  quick 

Through  the  serene  at  midnight,  or  a  gleam 
Of  lightning  flash  at  sunset,  through  a  thick 

Piled  August  cloud,  but  these  would  faster  seem 
As  they  retreated  ;   having  joined  the  rest, 

Back  like  an  unreined  troop  towards  us  they  sped. 
"  This  throng  is  large  by  whom  we  thus  are  pressed, 

And  come  to  implore  of  thee,"  the  Poet  said  ; 
"  Therefore  keep  on,  and  as  thou  mov'st  attend." 

"  O  soul  who  travellest,  with  the  very  frame 

Which  thou  wert  born  with,  to  thy  blessed  end, 
Stay  thy  step  somewhat!  "  —  crying  thus  they  came. 

"  Look  if  among  us  any  thou  dost  know, 
That  thou  of  him  to  earth  mayst  tidings  bear. 

Stay,  wilt  thou  not?  ah  !   wherefore  must  thou  go? 
We  to  our  dying  hour  were  sinners  there  ; 

And  all  were  slain  ;  but  at  the  murderous  blow, 
Warned  us  an  instant  light  that  flashed  from  heaven, 

And  all  from  life  did  peacefully  depart, 
Contrite,  forgiving,  and  by  Him  forgiven, 

To  look  on  Whom  such  longing  yearns  our  heart.'' 
"None  do  I  recognize,"  I  answered,  "even 

Scanning  your  faces  with  mine  utmost  art; 
But  whatsoe'er,  ye  blessed  souls,  I  may 

To  give  you  comfort,  speak,  and  I  will  do  ; 
Yea,  by  that  peace  which  leads  me  on  my  way 

From  world  to  world  such  guidance  to  pursue." 

Jacopo  di  Fano. 

"  Without  such  protestation,"  one  replied, 
"  Unless  thy  will  a  want  of  power  defeat, 

In  thy  kind  offices  we  all  confide  ; 

Whence  I,  sole  speaking  before  these,  entreat 


2. 1  DANTE  S    PURGATORIO. 

If  thou  mayst  e'er  the  territory  see 

That  lies  betwixt  Romagna  and  the  seat* 
Where  Charles  hath  sway,  that  thou  so  courteous  be 

As  to  implore  the  men  in  Fano's  town 
To  put  up  prayers  there  earnestly  for  me 

That  I  may  purge  the  sins  that  weigh  me  down. 
There  I  was  born  ;  but  those  deep  wounds  of  mine 

Through  which  my  life-blood  issued,  I  reeeiyed 
Among  the  children  of  Antenor's  line,f 

Where  most  secure  my  person  I  believed; 
'Twas  through  that  lord  of  Este  I  was  sped 

Who  past  all  justice  had  me  in  his  hate. 
Oertak'n  at  Oriaco,  had  I  fled 

Towards  Mira,  still  where  breath  is  I  might  wait. 
But  to  the  marsh  I  made  my  way  instead, 

And  there,  entangled  in  the  cany  brake 
And  mire,  I  fell,  and  on  the  ground  saw  spread, 

From  mine  own  veins  outpoured,  a  living  lake." 

BUONCONTE    DI    MONTEFELTRO. 

Here  spake  another:  "O  may  that  desire 

So  be  fulfilled  which  to  the  lofty  Mount 
Conducts  thy  feet  as  thou  shalt  bring  me  nigher 

To  mine  by  thy  good  prayers.     I  am  the  Count 
Buonconte ;  Montefeltro's  lord  was  I. 

Giovanna  cares  not,  no  one  cares  for  me  ; 
Therefore  with  these  I  go  dejectedly." 

And  I  to  him  :   "  What  violence  took  thee, 
Or  chance  of  war,  from  Campaldino  then 

So  far  that  none  e'er  knew  thy  burial-place?" 
"  O,"  answered  he,  "  above  the  hermit's  glen  J 

A  stream  whose  course  is  Casentino's  base, 

*  The  Marquisate  or  March  of  Ancona  was  then  governed  by  Charles 
Hi  V:ilois,  who  held  Naples. 

t  That  i--,  in  the  territory  of  Padua,  founded,  as  the  student  will 
remember,  by  the  Trojan  Anterior,  whose  tomb  is  shown  in  Padua  to 
this  day. 

J  Thai  is  i„  say,  the  hermitage  of  the  Camaldolites  in  Milton's 
Vall'ombrosa. 


CANTO    FIFTH.  25 

Springs  in  the  Apennine,  Archiano  called. 

There,  where  that  name  is  lost  in  Arno's  flood, 
Exhausted  I  arrived,  footsore  and  galled. 

Pierced  in  my  throat,  painting  the  plain  with  blood. 
Here  my  sight  tailed  me  and  I  fell  ;   the  last 

Word  that  I  spake  was  Mary's  name,  and  then 
From  my  deserted  flesh  the  spirit  passed. 

The  truth  I  tell  now,  tell  to  living  men  ; 
God's  Angel  took  me,  but  that  fiend  of  Hell 

Screamed  out:  'Ha!  thou  from  heaven,  why  robb'st  thou 
me? 
His  soul  thou  get'st  for  one  small  tear  that  fell, 

But  of  this  offal  other  work  I'll  see.' 
Thou  know'st  how  vapors  gathering  in  the  air 

Mount  to  the  cold  and  there  condensed  distil 
Back  into  water.     That  Bad  Will  which  ne'er 

Seeks  aught  but  evil  joined  his  evil  will, 
With  intellect,  and,  from  the  great  force  given 

By  his  fell  nature,  moved  the  mist  and  wind, 
And  o'er  the  valley  drew  the  darkened  heaven, 

Covering  it  with  clouds  as  day  declined 
From  Pratomagno  far  as  the  great  chain,* 

So  that  the  o'erburdened  air  to  water  turned  ; 
Then  the  floods  fell,  and  every  rivulet's  vein 

Swelled  with  the  superflux  the  soaked  earth  spurned. 
When  to  large  streams  the  mingling  torrents  grew 

Down  to  the  royal  river  with  such  force 
They  rushed  that  no  restraint  their  fury  knew. 

Here  fierce  Archiano  found  my  frozen  corse 
Stretched  at  its  mouth,  and  into  Arno's  wave 

Dashed  it  and  loosened  from  my  breast  the  sign, 
Which  when  mine  anguish  mastered  me  I  gave, 

Of  holy  cross  with  my  crossed  arms:   in  fine, 
O'er  bed  and  bank  my  form  the  streamlet  drave 

Whirling,  and  with  its  own  clay  covered  mine." 


*  Fur  as  to  the  upper  Apennines. 
4 


26  dante's  purgatorio. 


Pi  a  de'  Tolommei. 


"  O  stay  !  when  thou  shalt  walk  the  world  once  more, 

And  have  repose  from  that  long  way  of  thine,"  — 
Said  the  third  spirit,  following  those  before, 

"  Remember  Pia  !  for  that  name  was  mine  : 
Sienna  gave  me  birth  :  Maremma's  fen 

Was  my  undoing :  he  knows  that  full  well 
Who  ringed  my  finger  with  his  gem  and  then, 

After  espousal,  —  took  ?ne  there  to  dzveil" 


CANTO    SIXTH. 


2/ 


CANTO   SIXTH. 

When  from  the  game  of  hazard  men  depart, 

The  loser  stays,  and,  casting  o'er  his  throws, 
Learns  a  hard  lesson  with  a  heavy  heart ! 

While  with  the  winner  all  the  assembly  goes  : 
One  runs  before,  one  plucks  his  robe  behind, 

But  he  delays  not,  though  heside  his  way 
Another  comrade  calls  himself  to  mind  ; 

And  every  one  perceives  that  he  would  say  : 
"  Press  me  no  more!  "  to  whom  he  lifts  his  hand, 

And  by  so  doing  keeps  the  crowd  at  bay  ; 
Such  I  was,  freeing  me  from  that  dense  band, 

To  this  and  that  one  bending  my  survey, 
And  promising  to  answer  each  demand. 

Here  was  that  Aretine  whose  lethal  wound 

The  savage  hands  of  Ghin'  di  Tacco  made  ; 
Also  that  knight  who  in  pursuit  was  drowned. 

Here  with  stretched  palms  Frederic  Novello  prayed, 
The  Pisan,  too,  at  whose  defeat  his  sire, 

Good  old  Marzucco,  showed  a  strength  sublime. 
I  saw  Count  Orso,  and  that  soul  whom  dire 

Envy  and  spite,  but  no  committed  crime 
Tore  from  his  mortal  frame,  as  he  declared  ; 

Pierre  de  la  Brosse  I  mean:  so,  while  she  may, 
Be  that  bad  woman  of  Brabant  prepared 

Lest  she  go  join  a  far  worse  flock  than  they. 

When  I  had  freed  me  from  the  gathering  press 
Of  shadows  praying  still  that  others'  prayers 

Might  hasten  forward  their  own  blessedness, 
I  thus  began  :  "  Thy  page,  my  Light !  declares 


28  DANTE  S    PURGATORIO. 

Expressly,  in  one  text,  that  Heaven's  decree 

To  no  beseeching  bendeth.*     Yet  this  race 
Prays  with  such  purpose:  will  their  praying  be 

Without  avail?  or  have  I  in  that  place 
Misread  thy  word?"     He  answered  :   "  It  is  gross 

And  plain  to  reason  :    no  fallacious  hope 
Is  theirs,  if  thy  sound  mind  consider  close  ; 

The  topmost  height  of  judgment  doth  not  slope, 
Because  love's  fire  may  instantly  complete 

The  penance  due  from  one  of  these  ;  but  where 
I  closed  that  point  with  words  which  you  repeat, 

A  gulf  betwixt  the  Most  High  was  and  prayer  : 
No  praying  tJicre  could  cover  past  defect. 

Yet  verily,  in  so  profound  a  doubt 
Rest  not,  till  she  who,  'twixt  thine  intellect 

And  truth,  shall  be  thy  light,  herself  speak  out. 
Dost  understand  me?     Beatris  I  mean  : 

Thou  shalt  behold  her  in  a  loftier  place, 
This  mountain  summit,  smiling  and  serene." 

"  Good  Guide,"  said  I,  "  then  let  us  mend  our  pace, 
I  feel  no  more  my  weariness  :  o'er  us 

The  mountain  shadow  grows  and  hides  mine  own." 
"  We  will  go  forward  "  —  he  gave  answer  thus  — 

"  Far  as  we  can,  ere  this  day's  light  be  gone  ; 
But  thy  thought  wanders  from  the  fact.     That  height 

Ere  thou  canst  gain,  thou  shalt  behold  the  day's 
Returning  orb,  who  now  so  hides  his  light 

Behind  the  hill  that  thou  break'st  not  his  rays. 
But  yonder  look  !  one  spirit,  all  alone, 

By  itself  stationed,  bends  toward  us  his  gaze: 
The  readiest  passage  will  by  him  be  shown." 

We  came  up  tow'rds  it:   O  proud  Lombard  soul  ! 

How  thou  didst  wait,  in  thy  disdain  unstirred, 
And  thy  majestic  eyes  didst  slowly  roll  ! 

Meanwhile  to  us  it  never  uttered  word, 
But  let  us  move,  just  giving  us  a  glance, 

Like  as  a  lion  looks  in  his  repose. 

"  Desine  fata  defim  flecti  sperare  precando." —  Virg.  sEn.  vi.  376. 


CANTO    SIXTH.  j<  | 

Then  Virgil,  making  a  more  near  advance, 

Prayed  him  to  show  us  where  the  mountain  rose 

With  easier  slope,  and  still  that  soul  replied 
Nothing  to  his  demand  ;   but  question  made 

About  life,  and  our  country.     My  sweet  Guide- 
Began  to  answer:    "Mantua" — and  the  shade 

From  where  it  had  been,  separate  from  his  band, 
All  rapt  in  self,  sprang  up  towards  him  in  haste 

Saying:   "  O  Mantuan,  I  am  of  thy  land, 
I  am  Sordello."     And  the  twain  embraced. 

Ah  slavish  Italy  !   thou  common  inn 

For  woe  to  lodge  at !  without  pilot,  thou 
Ship  in  great  tempest!   not  what  thou  hast  been, 

Lady  of  provinces,  but  brothel  now  ! 
That  gentle  soul  so  quickly,  at  the  dear 

Sound  that  recalled  his  country,  forward  came 
To  grace  his  townsman  with  a  greeting  here  ; 

And  now  thy  living  children,  to  their  shame, 
Are  all  at  war,  and  they  who  dwell  most  near 

Prey,  each  on  each,  with  moat  and  wall  the  same? 
Search,  wretched  !   search  all  round  thine  either  coast, 

And  then  look  inland,  in  thy  bosom,  see 
If  peace  in  any  part  of  thee  thou  know'st! 

What  though  Justinian  made  new  reins  for  thee, 
What  boots  it  if  the  saddle  remain  void? 

Without  his  mending  thy  disgrace  were  less. 
And  O  ye  tribe  that  ought  to  be  employed 

In  your  devotions,  and  let  Caesar  press 
The  seat  of  Caesar  if  God's  word  you  heed, 

See,  since  your  hand  hath  on  the  bridle  been, 
How  wanton  grown  and  wicked  is  the  steed, 

Through  want  from  you  of  the  spur's  discipline. 
O  German  Albert!  who  abandonest 

Her  now  run  wild,  unchecked  by  curb  of  thine, 
When  thou  shouldst  ride  her  with  thy  heels  hard-pressed  ; 

May  heaven's  just  judgment  light  upon  thy  line, 
And  be  it  something  strange,  and  manifest, 

To  make  him  tremble  that  comes  after  thee, 


30  DANTE  S    PURGATORIO.. 

Because,  for  lust  of  barren  fiefs  out  there,* 

Thou  and  thy  Father  have  not  shamed  to  see 
The  empire's  garden  desolate  and  bare. 

Come  see  the  Capulets  and  Montagues, 
Monaldi  and  Filippeschi,  O  thou  being 

Without  concern  !  these  wan  with  fears,  and  those 
Already  crushed  :  come  sate  thyself  with  seeing, 

Thou  cruel  man,  the  outrage  that  is  done 
To  thy  best  blood,  and  make  their  bruises  well ! 

And  thou  shalt  see  too,  thou  cold  looker-on, 
Santafiore's  lords  how  safe  they  dwell. 

Come  see  thy  Rome  that  mourning  all  alone 
Weepeth,  a  widow,  calling  day  and  night, 

Why,  O  my  Caesar,  dost  thou  leave  thine  own? 
Come  see  what  love  there  —  how  all  hearts  unite  ! 

And  if  no  pity  move  thee  at  our  moan 
Blush  for  thy  fame  beholding  such  a  sight. 

And,  lawful  if  I  speak,  O  most  high  Jove 
Who  wast  for  our  sakes  crucified  on  earth, 

Are  thy  just  eyes  who  watchest  men  above 
Turned  elsewhere?  —  Or  is  this  before  the  birth 

Of  some  great  good  a  preparation  hid 
From  us  in  the  abyss  of  thy  intent, 

That  all  the  Italian  towns  are  tyrant-rid, 
And  every  clown  that  comes  on  faction  bent 

Makes  as  much  clamor  as  Marcellus  did? 

My  Florence  !  well  may'st  thou  remain  content 

At  this  digression  ;  it  concerns  not  thee, 
Thanks  to  thy  people,  great  in  argument ! 

Many  with  justice  in  their  hearts  there  be 
Who  stay  the  shaft  lest,  coming  to  the  bow 

Without  discretion,  it  might  err  ;  but  they 
On  their  lips  wear  it.     Many  men  are  slow 

To  serve  the  state,  and  turn  from  place  away  ; 
Thy  people  do  not  —  every  one  bends  low, 

Crying  before  he's  called  for:   "  I  obey." 

*  In  Germany. 


CANTO    SIXTH.  3  I 

Now  make  thee  joyful,  who  may'st  triumph  well ; 

Thou  who  art  rich  —  so  wise  !  and  so  at  peace  ! 
If  I  speak  true  in  this,  —  let  the  truth  tell. 

Athens  and  Sparta,  that  raised  civil  Greece 
To  such  a  height,  and  framed  the  ancient  laws, 

Towards  the  well-ordered  life  made  small  beginning 
Compared  with  thee,  whose  legislation  draws 

Threads  out  so  fine  that  thy  October  spinning 
Comes  before  mid-November  to  a  pause. 

How  many  times  hast  thou  renewed  thy  men, 
Yea,  within  days  that  in  thy  memory  dwell, 

And  changed  thy  laws  and  offices,  and  then 
Customs  and  coins !  if  thou  remember  well 

Thou  wilt  behold  thyself,  unless  quite  blind, 
Like  a  sick  woman,  restless,  that  in  vain 

Seeks  on  her  pillow  some  repose  to  find, 
And  turns  and  turns  as  'twere  to  parry  pain. 


32  DANTES    PURGATORIO. 


CANTO   SEVENTH. 

Three  times  and  four  these  greetings,  glad  and  free, 

Had  been  repeated,  when  Sordello's  shade 
Drew  from  embrace,  and  said  :  "  Now,  who  are  ye?  " 

And  thereupon  my  Guide  this  answer  made  : 
"  Ere  to  this  mountain  those  just  souls,  to  whom 

Heavenward  to  climb  was  given,  had  guided  been, 
My  bones  Octavian  gathered  to  the  tomb. 

Virgil  I  am,  and  for  none  other  sin 
But  want  of  faith  was  I  from  heaven  shut  out." 

Like  one  who  suddenly  before  him  sees 
Something  that  wakes  his  wonder,  whence,  in  doubt, 

He  says,  It  is  not  ;  then  believing,  '77s! 
Sordello  stood,  then  back  to  him  without 

Lifting  his  eyelids,  turned  and  clasped  his  knees. 
"  O  glory  of  the  Latin  race  !  "  he  cried, 

"  Through  whom  to  such  a  height  our  language  rose, 
Oh  !  of  my  birthplace  everlasting  pride, 

What  merit  or  grace  on  me  thy  sight  bestows? 
Tell  me,  unless  to  hear  thee  is  denied, 

Com'st  thou  from  hell,  or  where  hast  thou  repose?" 

Virgil. 

He  to  this  answered  :  w'  Grace  from  heaven  moved  me, 

And  leads  me  still :  the  circles  every  one 
Of  sorrow's  kingdom  have  I  trod  to  thee. 

My  sight  is  barred  from  that  supernal  Sun, 
Whom  1  knew  late,  and  thou  desir'st  to  see, 

Not  for  I  did,  but  for  I  left  undone. 
A  place  below  there  is  where  no  groans  rise 

From  torment,  sad  alone  with  want  of  light, 


(    WTO   SEVENTH.  33 

Where  the  lament  sounds  not  like  moan,  but  sighs. 

The  little  innocents  whom  Death's  fell  bite 
Snatched,  ere  their  sin  was  purified,  are  there  : 

And  there  I  dwell  with  guiltless  ones  that  still 
The  three  most  holy  virtues  did  not  wear, 

Though  all  the  rest  they  knew,  and  did  fulfil. 
But  if  thou  knowest,  and  may'st  us  apprise, 

Tell  us  how  we  most  speedily  may  find 
Where  Purgatory's  actual  entrance  lies."  * 


Sordello. 

"  We  have,"  he  answered,  "  no  set  place  assigned  ; 
Around  and  upward  I  am  free  to  stray  ; 

My  guidance  far  as  I  may  go  I  lend  : 
But  see  how  fast  already  fails  the  day  ! 

And  in  the  night  none  ever  can  ascend  : 
Best,  then,  we  think  of  some  good  resting-place. 

Some  souls  there  be,  removed  here  to  the  right, 
Whom,  if  thou  wilt,  I'll  show  thee  face  to  face, 

And  thou  shalt  know  them  not  without  delight." 
"  How,  then,"  said  Virgil,  "  should  a  soul  aspire 

To  climb  by  night,  would  other  check  be  found? 
Or  his  own  weakness  hinder  his  desire?" 

And  good  Sordello  drew  along  the  ground 
His  finger,  saying:   "  Look  !   not  even  this  line 

May'st  thou  pass  over  when  the  sun  hath  gone  : 
Not  that  aught  else,  though,  would  thy  power  confine, 

Save  want  of  light,  from  journeying  upwards  on  : 
Darkness  makes  impotent  thy  will.     By  night 

One  may  go  back  again,  and  grope  below, 
And,  while  the  horizon  shuts  the  day  from  sight, 

Wander  about  the  hillside  to  and  fro." 
My  Master  then,  as  'twere  in  wonder,  spake  : 

"Now  lead  us  thitherward  where  thou  hast  said, 


La  dove  '1  Purgatorio  ha  dritto  inizio." 
5 


34  DANTE  S    PURGATORIQ. 

That  we  in  lingering  shall  such  pleasure  take." 

Nor  had  we  forward  far  advanced  our  tread, 
When  I  perceived  that  on  the  mountain-side 

A  valley  opened,  just  like  valleys  here. 
"  We  will  go  forward,"  said  our  shadowy  guide, 

••  Where  on  the  slope  yon  hollow  doth  appear; 
There  let  us  wait  the  dawning  of  the  day." 

'Twixt  steep  and  level  went  a  winding  path 
Which  led  us  where  the  vale-side  dies  away 

Till  less  than  half  its  height  the  margin  hath. 

Gold  and  fine  silver,  ceruse,  cochineal, 

India's  rich  wood,  heaven's  lucid  blue  serene, 
Or  glow  that  emeralds  freshly  broke  reveal, 

Had  all  been  vanquished  by  the  varied  sheen 
Of  this  bright  valley  set  with  shrubs  and  flowers, 

As  less  by  greater.     Nor  had  Nature  there 
Only  in  painting  spent  herself,  but  showers 

Of  odors  manifold  made  sweet  the  air 
With  one  strange  mingling  of  confused  perfume, 

And  there  new  spirits  chanting,  I  descried, 
"  Salve  Regina  I  *'  seated  on  the  bloom 

And  verdure  sheltered  by  the  dingle  side. 

Sordeli.o. 

"  Ere  yon  low  sun  shall  nestle  in  his  bed  " 

(Began  the  Mantuan  who  had  brought  us  here), 
"Desire  not  down  among  them  to  be  led  ; 

You  better  will  observe  how  they  appear, 
Both  face  and  action,  from  this  bank,  instead 

Of  mixing  with  them  in  the  dale.     That  one 
Who  sits  the  highest,  looking,  'mid  the  throng, 

As  though  some  duty  he  had  left  undone, 
Who  moves  his  lips  not  with  the  rest  in  song, 

Was  Rodolph,  Emperor,  he  who  might  have  healed 
Those  wounds  which  Italy  have  so  far  spent 

That  slow  relief  all  other  helpers  yield. 


CANTO    SEVENTH. 

The  other,  that  on  soothing  him  seems  bent, 

Once  ruled  the  region  whence  those  waters  are 
Which  Moldau  bears  to  Elbe,  and  Elbe  the  sea. 

His  name  was  Ottocar,  and  better  far, 
Yea,  in  his  very  swaddling-robe,  was  he 

Than  Vincislaus,  his  big-bearded  son 
Whom  luxury  and  ease  have  made  so  gross. 

And  he  of  slender  nose,  who,  with  the  one 
So  bland  of  aspect,  seems  in  consult  close, 

Died  flying,  and  in  dust  his  lilies  laid. 
Look  !  how  he  beats  the  breast  he  cannot  calm  : 

Mark  too  his  mate  there  sighing,  who  hath  made 
For  his  pale  cheek  a  pillow  of  his  palm  ! 
•   One  is  the  Father  of  that  pest  of  France, 
Father-in-law  the  other:   well  they  know 

His  lewd,  base  life  !   this  misery  is  the  lance 
That  to  the  core  cuts  either  of  them  so. 

And  he  so  stout  of  limb,  in  unison 
Singing  with  him  there  of  the  manly  nose, 

Of  every  virtue  put  the  girdle  on  ; 
And  if  that  youth  behind  him  in  repose 

Had  after  him  reigned  in  his  Father's  stead, 
Virtue  from  vase  to  vase  had  been  well  poured, 

Which  of  the  other  heirs  may  not  be  said. 
Frederic  and  James  now  o'er  those  kingdoms  lord, 

In  whom  that  better  heritage  lies  dead. 
Rarely  doth  human  goodness  rise  again 

Through  the  tree's  branches:   He  hath  willed  it  so 
Who  gives  this  boon  of  excellence,  that  men 

Should  ask  of  him  who  can  alone  bestow." 
"Not  more  these  words  of  mine  at  Peter  glance 

Than  him  he  sings  with  (of  the  large  nose  there) 
Whose  loss  Apulia  mourneth,  and  Provence, 

So  ill  the  tree  doth  with  its  stock  compare  ! 
Even  so  much  more  of  her  good  lord  his  wife 

Constance  yet  vaunts  herself,  than  Margaret  may, 
Or  Beatris.     That  king  of  simplest  life, 

Harry  of  England,  seated  there  survey 


35 


36  dante's  purgatorio. 

All  by  himself:  his  branches  are  more  blest ! 

The  one  who  sits  there  with  uplifted  gaze 
Among  the  group,  but  lower  than  the  rest, 

Is  Marquis  William,  in  whose  cause  the  frays 
Of  Alexandria  have  with  grief  oppressed 

Both  Monferrato  and  the  Canavese." 


CANTO    EIGHTH. 


37 


CANTO   EIGHTH. 

'Twas  now  the  hour  that  brings  to  men  at  sen. 

Who  in  the  morn  have  bid  sweet  friends  farewell. 
Fond  thoughts  and  longing  back  with  them  to  be  ; 

And  thrills  the  pilgrim  with  a  tender  spell 
Of  love,  if  haply,  new  upon  his  way, 

He  faintly  hear  a  chime  from  some  far  bell, 
That  seems  to  mourn  the  dying  of  the  day  ; 

When  I  forbore  my  listening  faculty 
To  mark  one  spirit  uprisen  amid  the  band 

Who  joined, both  palms  and  lifted  them  on  high 
(First  having  claimed  attention  with  his  hand) 

And  towards  the  Orient  bent  so  fixed  an  eye 
As  'twere  he  said,  "  My  God  !   on  thee  alone 

My  longing  rests."     Then  from  his  lips  there  came 
Te  lucis  ante"  so  devout  of  tone, 

So  sweet,  my  mind  was  ravished  by  the  same  : 
The  others  next,  full  sweetly  and  devout, 

Fixing  their  gaze  on  the  supernal  wheels, 
Followed  him  chanting  the  whole  Psalm  throughout. 

Now,  reader,  to  the  truth  my  verse  conceals 
Make  sharp  thy  vision  ;  subtle  is  the  veil 

So  fine  'twere  easily  passed  through  unseen. 
I  saw  that  gentle  army,  meek  and  pale, 

Silently  gazing  upward  with  a  mien 
As  of  expectancy,  and  from  on  high 

Beheld  two  angels  with  two  swords  descend 
Which  flamed  with  fire,  but,  as  I  could  descry, 

They  bare  no  points,  being  broken  at  the  end. 
Green  robes,  in  hue  more  delicate  than  spring's 

Tender  new  leaves,  they  trailed  behind  and  fanned 


DANTE  S    PURGATORIO. 

With  gentle  beating  of  their  verdant  wings. 

One,  coming  near,  just  over  us  took  stand, 
Down  to  th'  opponent  bank  the  other  sped, 

So  that  the  spirits  we're  between  them  grouped. 
Full  well  could  I  discern  each  flaxen  head  ; 

But  in  their  faces  mine  eyes'  virtue  drooped, 
As  'twere  confounded  by  excess  and  dead. 

"  From  Mary's  bosom  they  have  both  come  here," 
Sordello  said  —  "  this  valley  to  protect 

Against  the  serpent  that  will  soon  appear:" 
Whence  I,  unknowing  which  way  to  expect 

This  object,  turned  me,  almost  froze  with  fear, 
And  to  those  trusty  shoulders  closely  clung. 

Again  Sordello  :   "  Go  we  down  and  see 
These  mighty  shades,  and  let  them  hear  our  tongue  : 

Thy  presence  will  to  them  right  gracious  be." 
Only  three  steps  I  think  brought  me  below 

Where  one  I  noticed  solely  eyeing  me 
As  if  who  I  might  be  he  fain  would  know. 

'Twas  dusk,  yet  not  so  but  the  dusky  air, 
Between  his  eyes  and  mine,  within  the  dell, 

Showed  what  before  it  did  not  quite  declare. 
Towards  me  he  moved,  and  I  towards  him  as  well  : 

Gentle  Judge  Nino,  when  I  saw  thee  there 
What  joy  was  mine  to  find  thee  not  in  hell! 

We  left  unsaid  no  form  of  fair  salute  : 
Then  he  inquired  :  "  How  long  since  thou  didst  come 

O'er  the  far  waters  to  the  mountain's  foot?" 
"  O  but  this  morn,"  said  I,  "  the  realms  of  gloom 

I  passed  :   in  the  first  life  I  am,  but  fain 
Would  find  the  next  by  following  on  this  track." 

Like  to  men  suddenly  amazed,  the  twain, 
lie  and  Sordello,  hearing  this,  drew  back. 

One  looked  at  Virgil,  one  into  the  face 
Of  a  companion  sitting  there,  and  cried, 

"  Up,  Conrad  !    see  what  God  hath  of  his  grace 
Bestowed,"  then  turning  unto  me  replied  : 


CANTO    EIGHTH.  39 


Nino  Visconti. 

"  By  that  especial  reverence,  I  beseech, 
Which  thou  ow'st  Him  whose  primal  way  is  hid 

So  that  none  sound  it,  if  soe'er  thou  reach 
The  shore  beyond  the  vasty  waters,  bid 

My  child  Giovanna  for  my  peace  implore 
There  where  the  cry  of  innocents  heaven  heeds. 

Her  mother  I  am  sure  loves  me  no  more 
Since  she  put  off  her  widow's  paly  weeds, 

But  in  her  misery  fain  would  wear  this  day. 
From  her  full  readily  may  one  be  taught 

How  soon  love's  flame  in  woman  dies  away 
If  sight  or  touch  full  oft  relume  it  not. 

The  chanticleer  upon  Gallura's  shield 
Had  graced  her  sepulchre  with  fairer  show 

Than  will  that  viper,  which  to  battle-field 
Marshals  the  men  of  Milan."     With  such  glow 

He  uttered  this  as  in  his  face  revealed 
The  heart's  just  passion  smouldering  yet  below. 

Still  that  sole  part  of  heaven  I  fondly  eyed 

Where  the  stars  move,  even  as  a  wheel  doth  move 
More  slowly  next  the  axle.     Said  my  Guide  : 

"  Son,  what  dost  thou  so  gaze  at  there  above  ?  " 
"  Up  there  !  at  yon  three  torches,"  I  replied, 

"  Whose  splendor  makes  this  pole  here  all  ablaze." 
And  he  to  me  :   "  The  four  clear  stars  that  rose 

This  morn  before  thee  have  abased  their  rays, 
And  these  have  mounted  in  the  place  of  those." 

While  thus  he  spake,  Sordello  to  his  side 
Drew  Virgil,  and  exclaimed  :  ik  Behold  our  Foe  !  " 

And  pointed  to  the  thing  which  he  descried  : 
And  where  that  small  vale's  barrier  sinks  most  low 

A  serpent  suddenly  was  seen  to  glide, 
Such  as  gave  Eve,  perchance,  the  fruit  of  woe. 


40 


D  \\  I  I    S    PURGATORIO. 

Through  flowers  and  herbage  came  that  evil  streak, 
To  lick  its  back  oft  turning  round  its  head, 

As  with  his  tongue  a  beast  His  fur  doth  sleek. 
1  was  not  looking,  so  must  leave  unsaid 

When  first  they  fluttered,  but  full  well  I  saw 
Both  heavenly  falcons  had  their  plumage  spread. 

Soon  as  the  serpent  felt  the  withering  flaw 
Of  those  green  wings,  it  vanished,  and  they  sped 

Up  to  their  posts  again  with  even  flight. 
The  shade  who  had  approached  the  judge  when  he 

Accosted  him,  had  never  moved  his  sight 
Through  this  encounter,  looking  fixed  on  me. 


Conrad  Malaspina. 

"  So  may  that  light,"  the  spirit  began  to  say, 

'•  Which  leads  thee -up,  find  in  thine  own  free  will 
Sufficient  wax  to  last  thee  all  the  way, 

Even  to  th'  enamelled  summit  of  the  Hill. 
If  thou  true  news  of  Val  di  Magra  know'st, 

Or  of  those  parts,  inform  me  of  the  same, 
For  I  was  mighty  once  upon  that  coast, 

And  Conrad  Malaspina  was  my  name. 
Not  the  old  lord,  but  his  descendant,  I: 

The  love  which  once  I  to  my  kindred  bore 
Is  here  refined."     "  O,"  thus  I  made  reply, 

"  That  realm  of  yours  I  never  travelled  o'er ; 
But  where  throughout  all  Europe  is  the  place 

That  knows  it  not?     The  honor  Fame  accords 
Your  house  illustrates  not  alone  the  race, 

But  makes  the  land  renowned  as  are  its  lords  ; 
He  knows  that  country  who  was  never  there  : 

Still  the  free  purse  they  bear,  and  still  bright  swords 
So  mount  my  soul  as  this  to  thee  I  swear! 

Custom  and  nature  privilege  them  so, 
That,  if  through  guilt  the  world's  guide  lead  astray, 

They  in  the  path  of  right  straightforward  go 
Sole  of  all  men,  and  scorn  the  evil  way." 


CANTO    EIGHTH.  4 1 

To  these  my  words,  "  Now  go,"  the  spirit  said, 
For  the  sun  shall  not  enter  seven  times  more 

That  part  of  heaven  where  Aries  o'er  his  bed 
Stretches  and  spreads  his  forked  feet  all  four, 

Ere  this  thy  courtesy's  belief  shall  be 
Nailed  in  the  middle  of  thv  head  with  nails 

Of  greater  force  than  men's  reports  to  thee 
If,  unimpeded,  Judgment's  course  prevails. 


42  DANTE  S    PURGATORIO. 


CANTO   NINTH. 

Forth  from  the  arms  of  her  beloved  now, 

Whitening  the  orient  steep,  the  concubine* 
Of  old  Tithonus  came,  her  lucent  brow 

Adorned  with  gems  whose  figure  formed  the  signf 
Of  that  cold  animal  whose  tail  with  dread 

Strikes  trembling  nations  ;   and  the  night,  where  we 
Now  were,  had  made  of  her  ascending  tread 

Two  of  her  paces  and  was  making  three, 
With  wings  through  weariness  less  fully  spread, 

When  I,  in  whom  the  weakness  was  alive 
Of  Adam's  nature,  sank  in  slumber's  power 

Where  sat  already  on  the  grass  all  five. 

Near  to  the  dawning  and  about  the  hour 

When  first  the  little  swallow  wakes  her  lays 
(Haply  remembering  her  old  woes  afresh), 

And  when  our  mind,  relieved  of  thinking,  strays 
More  of  a  pilgrim  from  its  cage  of  flesh 

Till  to  its  vision  'tis  almost  divine, 
Dreaming,  I  seemed  to  see  in  heaven  suspended 

An  eagle  that  with  golden  plumes  did  shine 
And  with  spread  wings  as  he  to  swoop  intended  : 

And  in  that  place  it  seemed  to  be,  methought, 
Where  Ganymede,  abandoning  his  own, 

\\  as  up  to  heaven's  high  consistory  caught. 
Then  I  considered  ;  haply  here  alone 

His  wont  to  strike  is,  and  he  scorns  elsewhere 
To  hear  up  what  he  snatches  in  his  feet; 

Methought  he  next  wheeled  somewhat  in  the  air, 
Then  struck  like  lightning,  terrible  and  fleet, 

.And  rapt  me  up  to  the  empyrean:  there 

*  Aurora.  f  Scorpio. 


CANTO    NINTH.  43 

We  burned  together  in  so  fierce  a  heat, 

And  such  of  that  imagined  fire  the  smart, 
My  dream  perforce  was  by  the  scorching  broke. 

Not  otherwise  Achilles  with  a  start 
Rolled  his  amazed  eyes  round  him,  newly  woke, 

And  knowing  nothing  where  he  was,  when  flying 
His  mother  bore  him,  slumbering  on  her  breast, 

From  Chiron  to  the  isle  of  Scyros  hieing, 
Whence  the  Greeks,  after,  forced  him  with  the  rest, 

Than  I  too  started  !  so  that  all  repose 
Fled  from  my  features  ;  deadly  pale  and  chill 

I  grew,  like  one  whom  fear  hath  well-nigh  froze. 
Sole  stood  my  Comforter  beside  me  still ; 

My  face  was  towards  the  sea-shore  turned  ;  the  sun 
Was  risen  already  more  than  two  hours  high. 

"  Fear  not,"  my  Lord  said,  "  we  have  well  begun  : 
Shrink  not!  but  every  way  enlarge  thy  strength  ; 

Thou  hast  arrived  at  Purgatory  !     See 
Yon  cliff  that  circles  it;  behold  at  length 

The  entrance,  parted  where  it  seems  to  be." 

In  the  white  light  that  comes  before  the  morn 

While  slumbering  in  thee  lay  thy  soul,  there  came 
Over  the  flowers  this  valley  that  adorn 

A  woman,  saying,  "  Lucia  is  my  name  : 
This  man  here  sleeping  let  me  take  in  care  ; 

So  shall  I  speed  him  forward  on  his  way." 
Sordello,  with  his  gentle  comrades  there, 

Remained  :  she  took  thee  and,  at  dawn  of  day, 
Up  hither  sped,  and  I  behind  her  straight. 

Here  she  reposed  thee  ;  first  with  her  fair  eyes 
Showing  the  aperture  of  yonder  gate, 

Then  vanished  and  thy  sleep  in  even  wise. 
As  a  man,  doubting,  comforteth  his  fear 

At  truth's  discovery,  confident  once  more, 
So  did  I  change  ;  and  seeing  me  appear 

Without  inquietude,  my  Guide  up  o'er 
The  cliff  moved  on,  I  following  in  his  rear. 


44  dante's  purgatorio. 

Reader,  thou  well  observ'st  to  what  a  height 

I  lift  my  matter,  therefore  wonder  not 
If  with  more  art  I  strengthen  what  I  write. 

We  still  approached  and  now  had  reached  the  spot 
Where  that  which  first  had  seemed  to  me  a  rent, 

Like  to  a  fissure  in  a  wall,  my  view 
Made  out  a  gate,  and  leading  to  it  went 

Three  steps,  and  each  was  of  a  different  line; 
A  guardian  sat  there  keeping  the  ascent. 

As  yet  he  spake  not.  and  as  more  and  more 
Mine  eves  I  opened,  on  the  topmost  stair 

I  saw  him  sitting,  and  the  look  he  wore 
Was  of  such  brightness  that  I  could  not  hear. 

The  rays  were  so  reflected  from  his  face 
By  a  drawn  sword  that  glistened  in  his  hand 

That  oft  I  turned  to  look  in  empty  space  : 

Then  he  began  :   "  Speak  ye  from  where  ye  stand  ! 

What  seek  ye  here?  who  leads  you  to  this  place? 
Take  heed  lest  climbing  upward  from  the  strand 

Von  come  to  harm  !  "     My  Master  answered  thus  : 
"A  heavenly  lady,  of  such  things  aware, 

Spake  in  these  words  not  long  ago  to  us  : 
'  Go  ye  up  yonder,  for  the  gate  is  there.' 

And  may  she  speed  you  on  your  way  to  good  !  " 
Rejoined  that  gracious  guard.     "  Up  to  our  flight 

Advance  you  then  !"     We  therefore  came  and  stood 
At  the  first  stair,  which  was  of  marble  white, 

So  clear  and  burnished,  that  therein  I  could 
Behold  myself,  how  I  appear  to  sight. 

The  secend  was  a  rough  stone,  burnt  and  black 
Beyond  the  darkest  purple  ;   through  its  length 

And  crosswise  it  was  traversed  by  a  crack. 
The  third  whose  mass  is  rested  on  their  strength 

Appeared  to  me  of  porphyry,  flaming  red, 
Or  like  Mood  spouting  from  a  vein;   thereon 

<  rod's  Angel  kept  with  planted  feet  his  tread 
Silting  upon  the  threshold's  gleaming  stone, 

Whirl)  seemed  to  me  of  adamant.      My  Guide 


CANTO    NINTH. 


45 


Led  me  with  my  good  will  up  that  ascent, 

Saying,  "  Beg  humbly  that  the  bolt  may  slide  !  " 
And  at  those  hallowed  feet  devout  I  bent. 

"  In  mercy  open  to  me  !  "  I  implored, 
But  first  I  smote  me  thrice  upon  my  breast. 

He  on  my  forehead  with  his  pointed  sword 
Traced  P.  seven  times,  then  spake  me  this  behest: 

"  Wash  thou  these  wounds  when  thou  hast  past  the  door." 

Ashes  or  dry  heaps  dug  from  gravellv  earth 

Were  of  one  color  with  the  robe  he  wore, 
From  under  which  two  keys  he  next  drew  forth. 

One  was  of  gold,  one  silver;  first  he  plied 
The  white,  then  used  the  yellow  on  the  gate, 

In  such  sort  as  my  spirit  satisfied  ; 
Then  said  :  "  To  none  is  passable  the  strait 

When  either  of  these  keys  be  vainly  tried, 
And  in  the  wards  without  response  it  grate. 

One  is  more  precious,  one  more  asketh  wise 
Counsel  and  intellect  the  lock  to  free, 

Because  'tis  this  which  error's  knot  unties. 
From  Peter's  hand  I  hold  them.      He  on  me 

Enjoined  this  rule,  that  I  should  rather  err 
In  opening  unto  penitents,  than  be 

Slow  to  unbind,  if  at  my  feet  they  were." 

Then  of  that  pass  he  pushed  the  sacred  gate, 

Saying  :   "  Go  in  ;  but  be  ye  warned,  before 
You  enter !  who  looks  back  returneth  straight." 

And  when  the  hinge-bolts  of  the  holy  door, 
Which  are  of  strong  and  sounding  metal,  rolled 

Round  in  their  sockets,  the  Tarpeian  rock, 
When  robbed  of  good  Metellus  and  its  gold, 

Rung  not  so  loud  nor  yielded  such  a  shock. 
At  the  first  thunder,  as  the  portal  swung 

I  looked  about,  and  as  I  stood  intent 
Heard  Te  Dcuni  laudamusl  clearly  sung, 

And  the  gate's  music  with  the  song  was  blent. 


46  DANTE'S    PURGAT0R10. 

The  same  impression  what  I  heard  gave  me 
As  on  the  listener's  hearing  is  begot 

When  men  with  organs  join  their  voice,  and  we 
Now  hear  the  words,  and  now  we  hear  them  not. 


END    OF    THE    ANTE-PDKGATOI!  IO. 


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